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UNTIL 5 P.M., EST,
FRIDAY, MARCH 14, 1997
March 15, 1997, Tip Sheet
Annals of Internal Medicine is published by the American College of
Physicians (ACP), more than 100,000 physicians trained in internal medicine. The following highlights are not intended to substitute for articles as sources of information. For a copy of an article, call 1-800-523-1546, ext. 2656 or 215-351-2656.
* * *
Relationship Between Symptoms of Depression in
Older Patients and Health Status
Elderly patients with six or more symptoms of
depression are more likely to physically
deteriorate during and after hospitalization, a
study shows. (Article, p. 417.) A prospective
cohort study of 572 patients older than 70
years of age with symptoms of depression
found the association between the patients and
their health status was not attributable to
severity of illness or health status upon
hospital admission.
Patients 60 years of age and older with symptoms
of depression have more extensive medical illness
and accrue greater average diagnostic test
charges, a study shows. (Articles, p. 426.)
Primary care physicians need better treatment
models for these patients, older adults
need better access to psychiatric services, and
future research must be directed at improving the
care of psychiatric and medical illnesses
concurrently, authors say. An accompanying
editorial looks at reasonable expectations
for primary care physicians and health
care organizations for discovering depression in
medical patients. (Editorial, p. 463.)
* * *
ACP Prostate Cancer Screening Recommendations
Part II of a two-part paper evaluates the
potential benefits, dangers and economic
consequences of digital rectal examination and
prostate-specific antigen testing for the early
detection of prostate cancer. (Position Paper,
p. 468.)
Physicians should describe the potential
benefits and known harms of screening, diagnosis
and treatment, listen to the patients concerns,
and then individualize the decision to screen
for prostate cancer, say new ACP guidelines.
(Position Paper, p. 480.)
An accompanying editorial examines widespread
prostate-specific antigen testing and other new
prostate cancer screening technologies. (Editorial,
p. 465.)
* * *
ACP Position Paper: Inner-City Health Care
ACP offers new directions in public policy for
inner-city health care in the U.S. (Position Paper,
p. 485.)
ACP Annual Session March 22-24, 1997, Pennsylvania
Convention Center. Info: 215-351-2655.
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